6 Deadly Sins

Last night I went to Theatre 503, a small theatre above The Latchmere Pub in Battersea. For one night, they were showing '7.1 Beyond Control' by Golden Delilah - a performance involving 7 short plays about each of the 7 Deadly Sins. Or so I thought. When I read the programme, the play about Greed had been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, which was a real shame, and as such, I only saw 6 Deadly Sins.

It was a fantastic show actually. Great performances and all very different. I wasn't really sure about what I had been expecting, but it made me really think about myself and what sins I suffer from.

I think to some extent I am guilty of each of the sins. Definitely gluttony - I love food and eating, and sometimes I do eat too much. But I think that is part of my upbringing - I was taught not to waste food, and also my family made a big deal of everyone sitting down for dinner together each night. Being Chinese, many of our social activities revolve around food, bringing people together to celebrate various things and events... all food related!

I don't necessarily think that I am greedy though - not for material objects and wealth. Of course, I enjoy nice things but I work hard and save my money so that I can afford the things that I want - I don't just go spending outside of my means.

Am I slothful? Not in the sense that I haven't worked hard to get where I am. After uni, I worked my butt off so that I could fund myself through a Masters degree without having to rely on anyone else. Sometimes I am lazy about small things, like washing dishes or doing chores, but usually I just put them off til the next day - it's not like I never do that stuff!

Do I suffer from wrath? Yes. I think everybody gets angry and has hateful feelings from time to time. It takes alot for me to say I hate somebody though, just as hard as it is for me to say I love somebody too. They are both extreme feelings on the spectrum, and I don't feel these all the time.

I definitely suffer from lust - when there is somebody that I'm interested in or perhaps had a few dates with and things are going well, especially in the case of Mr Special, I do have lustful feelings of a sexual nature towards them. It's only natural. I'm not ashamed of it, and I won't say that I don't have these feelings. For me, sex is a really important part of a relationship - no, it's not the be all and end all, but it ranks pretty high up there for me.

Envy... yes. I am feeling it now. I am jealous and envious of the girl that Mr Special is dating. I feel envious of all the people who have found their life partner and are living my dream. Yes, I know I have so much in my life that I wouldn't want to change, but I really want to one day be in a monogamous, committed and loving relationship. I want to find my soulmate, my best friend, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with who also wants to spend the rest of their life with me. Someone to hold my hand... forever.

Finally, pride - the deadliest of all sins. I actually think I'm okay on this one - I don't think that I am necessarily better or more important than other people, just different. I don't take credit for something that someone else has achieved - that would be an empty satisfaction, knowing that I had cheated or not set out to do what someone thinks I have done. I know my downfalls and faults, and I work hard to conquer them. I am proud of the things that I have done in my life but it doesn't make me any better than anybody else.

So there you have it... Have a think about yourself and see if you too are guilty of any or all of the 7 Deadly Sins.